He may live under the sun drenched city of Brisbane, Queensland – but it’s what happens underground that truly drives Ben Crosby.
Mr Crosby’s passion lies within the Trenchless Technology industry, a passion that was ignited during his early years working on public transport infrastructure as a fresh-faced mining engineering graduate.
It was during this first project, involving an underground tunnel for public bus transport, that Mr Crosby developed a keen interest for underground works from learning how they benefit the wider community.
“It was on this job that I developed a great interest.
Over time this involvement in tunnelled infrastructure broadened across all sized-installation projects and methods, due to the increase in demand for subsurface infrastructure,” Mr Crosby said.
Since that first project Mr Crosby has gone on to have a successful career that has taken him around Australia and beyond, including working on a cable tunnel project from St John’s Wood to Elstree in London, a project that was a career high when it was completed in a mere 15 months.
Being part of the ASTT
It was the key role that the ASTT plays in the development of the trenchless industry across Australasia that enticed Mr Crosby to become more involved in the organisation.
The ongoing guidance and information that the ASTT offers to clients, contractors and suppliers within the trenchless industry always impressed Mr Crosby.
“The ASTT has an important role in the development of the trenchless industry across the region as a not-for-profit organisation that provides trenchless information to clients, contractors and suppliers” he said.
As the new ASTT Councillor for Queensland, Mr Crosby said that when looking to the future, his goals would remain focused on how he could serve members and broaden the awareness of Trenchless Technology across the wider engineering industries and programs.
Overcoming hurdles and the future
Mr Crosby’s diverse career has provided him with key observations about the trenchless industry, especially when it comes to the changes that have emerged over the years and new challenges facing industry members today.
“The challenge that I see within the trenchless industry is often communicating the successes and technological advancements in trenchless techniques across Queensland,” he said.
“The industry can overcome these challenges by partnering with engineering bodies established in the larger centres across Queensland.”
Mr Crosby says the key is to examine the areas of the engineering industry that are yet to discover or focus on Trenchless Technology in order to overcome this common challenge.
“In the last 5-10 years I have seen countless Trenchless Technology advances that have reduced risk and cost,” Mr Crosby said.
By communicating these advances, Mr Crosby said he has high hopes for the future and growth of the industry.
“As society increases its demand for services that reduce risk, such as Trenchless Technology, I can only imagine that the industry will witness a lot of growth in the future,” he said.
A little advice
Mr Crosby said that while new members of the industry were entering an exciting phase of their careers, it was still traditional research and investigation methods that would continue to be the best way to prepare for trenchless projects.
“Whether it is offering or procuring a product or service, a newcomer to the trenchless industry should always rigorously research and investigate the proposition,” Mr Crosby said.
As Mr Crosby commences his new role as the ASTT’s Councillor for Queensland, he said he hopes his advice and support for newcomers in the trenchless industry would prove helpful and enhance the future of Trenchless Technology awareness within Queensland and Australasia.
He said it always comes down to a key piece of advice that has stuck with him throughout his career: “Hope is not a good business plan!”
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